Rainfall and snowfall since Thursday night have severely disrupted life across several hilly districts of Sudurpaschim Province, including Bajhang. Persistent rain triggered landslides, blocking the Tamail-Jalebagar section of the Jayaprithvi Highway and bringing traffic to a standstill.

In Chhabisha Pathibhera Rural Municipality, landslides in Baluwatar and Jalebagar were cleared by Friday morning, allowing temporary traffic movement. However, another landslide in the afternoon caused renewed disruptions, according to the District Police Office in Bajhang.

Efforts to clear the debris are ongoing, with bulldozers from the Road Division Office and Jayaprithvi Municipality working tirelessly to reopen the road. Deputy Superintendent of Police Yuvaraj Bhandari, chief of the District Police Office in Bajhang, said, “Earthmovers have been on standby since morning, but continuous rain has caused repeated landslides. The road is opening and closing intermittently.”

The recent rainfall has brought relief to locals in Bajhang, Bajura, Doti, Dadeldhura, Darchula, and Baitadi districts, which had been enduring a prolonged dry spell. Snowfall began early Friday morning in higher hills and mountain regions.

In Bajhang, snowfall has been reported in Surma, Saipal, Talkot, Masta, and Chhabisha Pathibhera rural municipalities, as well as in Jayaprithvi and Bungul municipalities. In Saipal’s Dhuli and Kanda regions, snow accumulation has exceeded one foot. Khaptad National Park also saw heavy snowfall, with Game Scout Dinesh Khadka of the park office reporting up to two feet of snow in some areas since Thursday evening.

Snowfall was also observed in Bajura’s Gaumul, Budhinanda, and Himali rural municipalities, as well as in high-altitude areas of Baitadi, including Gwallekh Khodpe, Anarkhali, Dholyamod, Sigas, and Melouli. Similarly, the highlands of Doti and Dadeldhura, such as Gaira, Saukharka, and Hagult, witnessed significant snowfall.

The snowfall has brought hope to farmers who had been struggling with drought. “The winter crops were drying up in the fields due to the lack of rain,” said Deepak Bohara of Saipal, Bajhang. “Even though it was late, the snow has arrived. Now, there is hope that the sprouted plants will grow.”

However, the weather has caused significant disruptions to daily life, particularly for seasonal workers, children, and the elderly. Janu Tamang of Saipal, Bajhang shared that their Gyalpo Lhosar celebration on Friday was affected, as people could not gather as planned due to the harsh weather conditions.